On Thursday, January 9, 2025, 33 members of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region and The self-advocacy group, Living Boldly, joined other chapters of The Arc from across Maryland at Calendar Day 2025. Held annually on the second day of the Maryland Legislative Session, advocates and members of The Arc gather at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis, equipped with calendars and enthusiasm, to advocate for the rights and well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
What is Calendar Day?
Calendar Day is an annual tradition that brings together The Arc community from all across Maryland to raise awareness and advocate for people with IDD, honoring the grassroots spirit and legacy of The Arc. Advocates and supporters visit their legislators and members of the administration to distribute calendars highlighting the impact of each chapter of The Arc. These calendars showcase personal stories from people with IDD and their families, and includes important legislative dates, special chapter events, and even birthdays of lawmakers—helping to build relationships and keep key issues top of mind throughout the legislative session.
Calendar Day is about much more than just distributing calendars. It’s about making connections and ensuring the voices of people with IDD are heard.
“Calendar Day is a celebration of the power of advocacy and connection,” says Rylie Shewbridge, Director of Government Relations at The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. “It’s about bringing people together—advocates, families, and legislators—to ensure that the needs of people with IDD remain a priority in our state.”
Calendar Day provides a platform to influence public policy and ensure that important issues such as behavioral health, access to services, and disability rights remain at the forefront of legislative agendas.
The Importance of Legislative Engagement
The Maryland General Assembly plays a crucial role in shaping laws that affect Marylanders with IDD, and the annual 90-day session gives lawmakers the opportunity to create policies that can improve the lives of people with disabilities. By meeting directly with elected officials, events like Calendar Day help connect advocates and lawmakers, ensuring the needs of people with IDD are prioritized and that policies continue to promote inclusion and equity.
In preparation for the event, the 33 advocates who attended also participated in a Legislative Advocacy Training on January 7, which equipped participants with the tools to effectively communicate with legislators and members of the administration and provided insights into the critical legislation for the 2025 session. Armed with these skills, advocates are confident and ready to make a real impact on issues that affect people with IDD.
A Unified Voice for Change
Calendar Day 2025 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of collaboration and advocacy. By coming together as a community, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, alongside other chapters across the state, is working tirelessly to champion policies that support inclusion, opportunity, and equality for all. As calendars are shared and conversations unfold, The Arc is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live the life they choose.